HER2-positive metastatic gastric cancer responding to trastuzumab deruxtecan rechallenge

Patient Info: Anonymized, male, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver

After trastuzumab deruxtecan was restarted, his symptoms improved after the first cycle and imaging showed tumor shrinkage after 3 cycles. He was still receiving treatment without progression at the latest follow-up.

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Stage IV HER2-Positive Gastric Cancer: Bryan's Patient Story

Patient Info: Bryan Chagolla, Male, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: HER2-positive

Metastatic Site: liver

Bryan had a strong response to trastuzumab deruxtecan in 2021. He died on May 13, 2022, surrounded by loved ones.

Stage IV Lung Cancer: Steve's Patient Story

Patient Info: Steve Castellaw, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: right pelvis, L1 and L2 vertebrae, skull

After about 2 years on sotorasib, Steve had a large reduction in tumor size and his latest scans continued to look good while he returned to golf, exercise, and normal daily life.

A Severe Delayed Immune Reaction After Treatment for Metastatic Colon Cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 70+ | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: liver

He recovered from repeated episodes of severe cytokine release syndrome after prolonged corticosteroids, completed adjuvant FOLFOX and CV301 without nivolumab, and had no further CRS episodes.

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A durable response to trastuzumab in heavily pretreated metastatic breast cancer

Patient Info: Anonymized, Female, 60s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumor ER-positive and PR-positive. Metastatic liver biopsy ER-negative and PR-negative with HER2 IHC 1+ and nonamplified. Later biopsy ER and PR weakly positive at 5%–10%, HER2 IHC 1+ and nonamplified, and ERBB3 p. with evidence of HER2/HER3 pathway activation.

Metastatic Site: lungs; hilar and mediastinal lymph nodes; liver; bone

She had ongoing benefit for more than 10 months on trastuzumab and capecitabine, with improved symptoms, lower tumor markers, and a confirmed partial response.

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Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Saila's Patient Story

Patient Info: Saila Hanninen, Under 40 | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

After progression on earlier EGFR-directed treatment and other therapies, Saila began chemotherapy and her cancer was stable at the time of the story.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage III Ovarian Cancer: Jackie's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jackie Page, Female, 50s | Stage III

In remission with no sign of recurrent disease at the September 2020 publication, while continuing treatment on the clinical trial.

Dana-FarberRead more →

Stage IV Colorectal Cancer: Howard's Patient Story

Patient Info: Howard Brown, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: peritoneum|liver

Howard was living with metastatic colon cancer and undergoing CT scans every 90 days, with further treatment depending on whether scans showed recurrence or progression.

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Tomma's Patient Story

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After a later brain and lymph-node relapse was brought under control, Tomma had no further cancer treatment and remained active in survivorship advocacy. She died on September 7, 2023.

Tomma Hargraves: Choosing to Help Other Patients after Surviving Lung Cancer

Patient Info: Tomma Hargraves | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: brain

After treatment and a later recurrence, Tomma went many years without further cancer treatment and became a patient navigator and advocate. She died on September 7, 2023.

Stage IV Triple-Negative Breast Cancer: Eva's Patient Story

Patient Info: Eva Joseph | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Triple-negative

Metastatic Site: lungs, sternum

On ongoing atezolizumab plus nab-paclitaxel, Eva’s lung and sternum tumors became very small and were being kept at bay while she felt well enough to enjoy short trips.

Stage IV Gastric Cancer: Faye's Patient Story

Patient Info: Faye Hood, female, 70+ | Stage IV

After surgery and heated intraperitoneal chemotherapy, Faye recovered, returned to exercise and completed a half-marathon 1 year later.

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Stage III Invasive Ductal Carcinoma: Vanessa's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Vanessa Sanders, Female, Under 40 | Stage III

As of November 2019, Vanessa had shown no evidence of disease for 15 years after clinical-trial chemotherapy, breast-conserving surgery and 6 weeks of radiation for Stage III invasive ductal breast cancer.

MD AndersonRead more →

Stage IV RET Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Sara's Patient Story

Patient Info: Sara Whitlock, Female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: RET fusion-positive NSCLC

Metastatic Site: Brain; abdomen; bowel

As of November 2019, Sara had Stage IV RET fusion-positive NSCLC with a long-term response and no signs of cancer while taking selpercatinib/LOXO-292 on a clinical trial, with ongoing monthly follow-up.

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Stage IV EGFR Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Ginger's Patient Story

Patient Info: Ginger Tam, Female | Stage IV

Biomarkers: EGFR mutation

Ginger lived for more than 5 years with metastatic lung cancer while receiving multiple research-driven treatments. She died on February 10, 2018.

Stage III BRCA1 Ovarian Cancer: Patty's Patient Story

Patient Info: Patty Klein, Female | Stage III

Biomarkers: BRCA1 mutation

Patty was able to continue the olaparib plus BKM120 clinical trial as long as her tumor remained controlled. She later died.

Stage IV Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Donna's Patient Story

Patient Info: Donna Fernandez, Female, 50s | Stage IV

While receiving nivolumab on a Phase III trial, Donna’s tumors remained present but stopped growing, and she was able to return to an active daily life.

Stage IV Breast Cancer: Janet's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Janet Klein, Female | Stage IV

Metastatic Site: Bone: left iliac bone

Janet’s Stage 1 breast cancer later recurred and metastasized to the left iliac bone, but she had no sign of cancer from January 2010 onward while continuing palbociclib plus letrozole.

Stage III Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: Renee's Patient Story

Patient Info: Renee Shine, Female, 60s | Stage III

Renee’s tumor responded to pembrolizumab, and she remained on treatment through the clinical trial while describing herself as thriving.

Long-Term Nivolumab Response With Thyroid and Adrenal Side Effects

Patient Info: Anonymized, Male, 50s | Stage IV

Nivolumab remained ongoing at course 82, tumor burden had fallen to one-fifth of baseline, and no disease progression was documented.

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HER2-Positive Breast Cancer: Jane's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jane Dennington, Female, 60s

Biomarkers: HER2-positive breast cancer

As of January 2019, Jane was cancer-free for almost 5 years after HER2-positive breast cancer treatment with chemotherapy, Herceptin, surgery and Kadcyla through the KATHERINE clinical trial.

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Stage I Breast Cancer: Jennifer's Survivor Story

Patient Info: Jennifer Buckland, Female, 40s | Stage I

As of November 2018, Jennifer was cancer-free after Stage I breast cancer treatment that included 12 weekly taxane chemotherapy treatments and cooling-cap support that helped prevent hair loss.

Cleveland ClinicRead more →

Stage IV Ovarian Cancer: Janelle's Patient Story

Patient Info: Janelle Kister, female | Stage IV

Treatment ended, and Janelle was still doing well 17 years after her Stage IV ovarian cancer diagnosis.

MD AndersonRead more →

Metastatic Lobular Breast Cancer With Long-Term Disease Control Across Multiple Therapies

Patient Info: Anonymized, female, 40s | Stage IV

Biomarkers: Initial tumor: ER negative, HER2 negative, Ki67 17%. 2006 recurrence: ER 40%

Metastatic Site: pleura, liver, skin, bone

She was alive on ongoing metronomic vinorelbine with substantial disease stabilization at the most recent follow-up.

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